REEDS SPRING, MO – Get ready for a safer Spring Boating Season! The Coast Guard Auxiliary will instruct “About Boating Safely” course hosted by Gibson Technical Center at Reeds Spring Schools. Three Thursday evening sessions will begin March 26, April 2, and April 9 from 6-9pm.

“About Boating Safely” sessions includes a wide variety of information that applies to all recreational watercraft. You’ll learn:

· What to do in case of boating emergencies

· General information about boats and maintenance

· Information on preparing for safe and enjoyable outings

· Navigation rules and aids to navigation

· Guidelines for operating your boat or PWC safely

· State-specific laws and regulations you must follow

When you successfully complete the three course sessions you’ll earn a certificate and wallet card. This course meets the mandatory Missouri State Law requirement for anyone born after January 1, 1984 who wishes to operate a vessel on Missouri lakes. You may also be eligible for a reduced insurance rate. Just phone in today at 417-272-3271 to reserve your seat…bring a friend!

KIMBERLING CITY – A free concert has been planned for the Kimberling City area to help raise food for area food pantries.
The concert will provide some of the hottest local acts from Stone County and the Branson area in an effort to raise awareness of hunger and needs in the Ozarks region.
Sponsored by The Ozarks Sentinel, the concert will feature Keith Allen (Rednecker), Tracy Lynn, The Missouri Boatride (with Dean Webb – one of the original Darlings from the Andy Griffith Show), and perennial favorite, The Highway 13 Band. Several other artists have indicated an interest to perform at the benefit, and will be announced as appearances are confirmed.
Publisher, Mary Warren, said the idea for the concert came as part of the newspaper’s commitment to provideing support for local charities.
“We have always been very big on supporting charities within our coverage area, “ she said. “With the current concerns over the economy, it is easy to forget that people are going hungry in this area and the food pantries do an excellent job of trying to make sure no one goes hungry. However, as we hear news about the economy declining we also note that people aren’t always tuned into the problems that others may be facing.
“By putting together this concert, with some amazing talent, we hope that many of our readers will come out, bring a couple of non-perishable food items and enjoy an evening of wonderful entertainment. At the same time, they will be helping those who have need of something so many of us take for granted – food.”
Warren noted that the world-class entertainers lined up for the April 4 concert, have all donated their time and talent.
“We have some wonderful, caring entertainers in our area and they have so graciously donated their talents to this cause. For each of them, we are truly grateful,” she said.
The concert will be held at the Ozarks Room at Hillbilly Bowl in Kimberling City beginning at 6 p.m. on April 4.
Warren said the venue was selected for a number of reasons.
The Kimberling City area is home to the newspaper and is central to much of their coverage area, making it an easy drive for people from many of the communities.
In addition, the venue donated the space and set-up and has held numerous concerts over the years.
But, according to Warren, one of the biggest reasons for the venue selection came because of it’s look.
“This isn’t a big Branson-type theater. It is reminiscent of the old Ozarks,” she said. “It’s basically a big room with chairs and a small stage. We didn’t want all of the trappings of a modern venue. We wanted this to be a community concert that everyone would feel very comfortable attending.”

WHO: Gene Conrad, Deputy Director, Branson Airport
WHAT: News conference to announce expansion of air service at Branson Airport
WHEN: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Branson Airport Terminal

Executives of the Branson Airport, the nation’s first privately developed and operated commercial service airport, will announce an expansion of air service to the airport at a news conference Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. At that time airport officials will announce a fourth destination with regularly scheduled low-cost air service to and from the Branson Airport.

The $155 million airport, built entirely with private funds, opens May 11, 2009.

Directions to the Branson Airport:

From Highway 65 North, turn right/east approximately 4 miles north of the Highway 86 intersection into the Communities at Branson Creek and follow Branson Creek Boulevard about 2.5 miles until it turns into Branson Airport Boulevard, continue another 2 miles to the Branson Airport.

From Highway 65 South, turn left/east approximately 1 mile south of the Hollister exchange into the Communities at Branson Creek and follow Branson Creek Boulevard about 2.5 miles until it turns into Branson Airport Boulevard, continue another 2 miles to the Branson Airport.

The community is invited to attend the annual Community Marketing Presentation by the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, April 3, in the Keeter Center on the campus of College of the Ozarks.

The presentation will cover 2008 research statistics on visitor numbers and revenue; a forecast for the 2009 season; details of the marketing, media, public relations and sales plans and news from the organization. Mark the date on your calendars.

REEDS SPRING, MO – Get ready for Spring Boating Season! Gibson Technical Center will host “About Boating Safely” instructed by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Three evening sessions will begin March 26 from 6-9pm. All aspects of boating and water safety tips will be covered in this class along with all new and existing laws. When you successfully complete this course you’ll earn a certificate and wallet card. This course meets the mandatory Missouri State Law requirement for anyone born after January 1, 1984 who wishes to operate a vessel or PWC on Missouri lakes. You may also be eligible for a reduced insurance rate. Just phone in today to reserve your seat at 417-272-3271.

BRANSON, MO – Our 5th Earth Day event will take place at Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery in Branson on April 25th, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. We invite you to compete for our limited space to show the community that your business has made a priority of decreasing its carbon footprint.

Are you recycling?
Buying post consumer products?
Decreasing water usage?
Reducing the use of chemicals?
Becoming pollutant free?
Building with green products?
Offering locally made or grown products, or those imports considered “fair trade?”
What else are you doing GREEN?

Request your competition application NOW by e-mailing [email protected]. List EVERYTHING that might even remotely be applicable and e-mail your completed application immediately. Space is limited. So we will choose one business from each type of business submitted to attend and set up a table display on Earth Day, meet the community, and share their accomplishments with their current and potential customers.

EVERYBODY WINS! Those businesses which were not selected will be included in a green directory we will maintain at the Fish Hatchery. We will also compile a list of all the methods submitted for reducing a business’s carbon footprint. This compilation will be shared throughout the community to encourage more improvements.

Please contact us ASAP for your opportunity to show off your Green successes.

John Miller
Naturalist Program Supervisor
Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center
483 Hatchery Road
Branson MO 65616
(417) 334-4865 ext 0
(417) 334-4996 FAX
[email protected]

Branson, MO – March 10, 2009 – JoDee Herschend had a vision nearly ten years ago to reach un-churched Single Moms with unconditional love, acceptance and friendship. Since that time the organization known as The Caring People has reached out to Single Moms throughout Southwest Missouri and abroad in El Salvador with a goal to be nationwide in the next 5 years.

The Caring People will be hosting a “caring woman” training Saturday, April 4, 2009 at the Murder Rock Clubhouse in Hollister, Missouri from 8:30 to 3:30 pm. All materials are free including lunch. The training equips Christian women with both the skills needed to mentor Single Moms, and also gives them an overview of the work of the organization. The caring women are the anchors of the organization and they quite literally “walk the love of Jesus” into the hearts of the Single Moms.

Cindy Shorey, Chief Operating Officer shared, “we know from research JoDee commissioned years ago that Single Moms desire acceptance, forgiveness, community, control, hope and reassurance, these indeed are her motivators. We train the caring women to focus on specific skills to provide a safe place for moms emotionally.” Shorey shares “for some Single Moms just a night out with other Single Moms helps ease the burden of parenting alone.”

Southwest Missouri hosts care groups throughout the region in various locations. The organization also hosts quarterly events that bring the Single Moms and their children together along with the volunteers and leadership of The Caring People. One single mom says “it feels like a giant family reunion, our own special community, our kids have a blast together!”

For more information, visit www.thecaringpeople.org or call 417-334-0131.

Bill Babler will be speaking at the MDC Springfield Nature’s Center, March 5, Thursday evening at 7 p.m. OzarkAnglers will sponsor the event.

Babler will share his fishing techniques for spring bass fishing on Table Rock Lake as well as the history of bass fishing on Table Rock Lake. Those of you that have followed Bill’s post here on OzarkAnglers knows he’s one of the best bass fisherman on the lake and has a unique ability to share that knowledge.

Shane Bush and Mike Allen will also address the group on the subject of MDC’s habitat project on Table Rock Lake. Bush is a MDC fisheries biologist for Table Rock and Lake Taneycomo and Allen is MDC’s new habitat project biologist. They will provide information on projects, two very large projects recently completed and will pass along how to obtain GPS coordinates for these structures they have put in the lake. These structures are loads of rock, stumps and trees dumped into the lake for fish habitat.

MISSOURI WINE FESTIVAL
April 25, 2009 – April 26, 2009
www.mowinefest.com
phone: 417-699-6199

The Missouri Wine Festival is very proud to announce that Author Jonathan Eccher will appear for a book signing on the KSFX Performance Stage both Saturday and Sunday April 25 & 26. The author of “A Tour of Missouri Wineries” will not only be autographing copies of his recently published book, but also is slated to give two seminars, one each day, covering his favorite topic, Missouri Wine. Saturday, the 25th at 4 PM, the author will discuss his “Tour of Missouri’s Wineries” and the uniqueness that sets them apart. On Sunday, the 26th at 4 PM, he will present a “History of the Missouri Wine Industry” which will bring you through the development of our wine and grape industry from it’s early beginnings, through prohibition, and the recent rebirth of this thriving cultural phenomenon. The seminars both days will be immediately followed by a “Meet and Greet” book signing for all attendees of the festival on the KSFX Performance Stage in the exhibition hall. Wineries from throughout the Show Me State; artisan cheese makers; purveyors of fine goods, services and merchandise will all be on hand to exhibit, sample and demonstrate their wares from 10 AM to 7 PM both Saturday And Sunday. A special “Wine Maker Dinner” will be offered each night as well. The first 1500 to attend the festival will receive a tasting journal, to record your favorite labels, and a collector tasting glass. Tickets are available online or at the door on the day of the festival. Complete details of all the activities are available at www.mowinefest.com .

Who: Tompkins Wellness Center

What: Time for Trivia + Open House

When: Trivia: Now until Friday, March 6, 2009

Open House: Friday, February 27th, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Tompkins Wellness Center
180 Mall Road, Suite H, Hollister
(in the CountryMart strip mall, across from Lowe’s between Family Pharmacy and Blockbuster.)

How: Trivia: Readers/Listeners are encouraged to submit their answers to 4 trivia questions by visiting the “contact us” portion of www.tompkinswellnesscenter.com. Those with the right answers will be entered into a drawing for the free service that corresponds to the question…

1. Massage: What country was the first massage reportedly took place?
2. Acupuncture: What is the primary point used in acupuncture to turn a breach baby? (Hint: this is also a point used to treat headaches). Name the meridian and the point and give the location.
3. Nutrition: What is the herb primarily used to regulate blood sugar and keep diabetes in check?
4. Chiropractic: What condition did the first chiropractic adjustment in the United States successfully treat? (Hint: Not back or neck pain!)

Open House
• Meet the Doctor
• Tour our facility
• Scrumptious food
• Free gift for the first 50 guests

For more information, contact Angela Tompkins at 417.263.0604 or [email protected].

**Editor’s Note: Digital photographs, interviews and a personal invitation to the Open House are readily available at your request.